Hot box indicating system



July 31, 1956 I. l. CAMERON 2,757,361

HOT BOX INDICATING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 8, 1953 3 SheetsSheet l lverson Cameron INVENTOR.

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July 31, 1956 Filed Jan. 8, 1955 I. l. CAMERON HOT BOX INDICATING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ive/son Cameron INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 2,757,361 HOT BOX INDICATING SYSTEM Iverson I. Cameron, Vass, N. C. Application January 8, 1953, Serial No. 330,287 Claims. (Cl. 340-231) This invention relates to a hot box indicating system and particularly to a device for indicating to the operators of a railroad train or a portion thereof where any journal bearing becomes overheated and in the event the train crew fails to rectify the condition to shut down the operation of the train to prevent wrecking because of a hot box.

In the operation of railroad trains it is frequently found that serious accidents occur because the bearings run dry or otherwise become overheated so that the bearing is destroyed allowing the vehicle to be thrown from the tracks and frequently causing serious injury not only to the property of the railroad company but to passengers or others thereon. The present invention tends to eliminate such accidents by providing thermal responsive switches in each of the journal bearings of the train and providing signal means for apprising the train crew or some portion thereof that the bearing has become seriously overheated. A manual control valve is provided for use of the train crew after the condition has been attended to. Also, in the event that the condition is not attended to, a bleeder valve is provided for applying the usual pneumatic or fluid control brakes of the train to cause the same to come to a stop until the condition has been cleared.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved hot box indicator.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hot box indicator controlled by thermal responsive switches in each of the journal bearings.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a safety system in which the train will be brought to a stop if the crew fails to rectify the hot box condition.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a manual valve which is normally locked out until after the signal has been given.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a schematic illustration of the hot box signaling apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a modification of the hot box signaling system according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the hot box responsive switch having controls for both normal and hot box conditions; and

Figure 4 is a similar to hot box conditions.

In the exemplification of the invention a train is provided with Wheels 10 which have axles 12 running in journals 14. The journals 14 being mounted in journal boxes as is well known in the art.

Fluid control brakes, not shown, are applied to the wheels 10 by means of a fluid supply conduit 16 which is connected to the brakes in any well known manner. The fluid supply conduit 16 being generally supplied from the well known train supply pipe or train line which sup view of a switch responsive only plies the control of fluid for the brakes and the various fluid signaling means on the train. The fluid supply pipe 16 is provided with a manually operated valve 18 having a manually operating handle 20 for operating the valve on the valve 18 and is provided with an upstanding arm 30 to which is connected a tension spring 32. Tension spring 32 tending to operate the detent 26 by means of the arm 30 in the manner of a bellcrank to lift the detent 26 out of the notch 24 and allow the handle 28 to be operated to close the valve 18. A fusible link 34 has one end secured on the anchor piece 36 secured to the arm 30 and the other end secured in an anchor 38 mounted adjacent the valve 18. A T 40 is supplied in the conduit may be closed by means of a plug plied with a bleeder An automatic valve 42 or may be supvalve as will presently be described. 44 is provided with an actuating pin 46 which is, in turn, controlled by means of a bellcrank lever 48 pivoted on a bracket 51 adjacent to the valve 44. The end 52 of the bellcrank lever 48 is provided with a beveled surface on which rides the end 54- of a locking pin 56. The locking pin 56 being urged forward by means of a spring 58 so that when the bellcrank lever is depressed to press in the operating pin 46 to open the valve 44 the pin 56 will move upwardly over the top of the lever 48 and lock the valve in open position.

A signal line 66 is connected to the output end of the valve 44 to supply steam to a whistle signal 62. A check valve 64 being provided to prevent return flow of fluid through the pipe 60. The pipe 60 is provided with an extension 66 which connects to the signal line 68 which may be provided with a plurality of whistle signals 76 either in the cab of the locomotive or in other portions of the train as may be desired.

A source of potential such as the generator 72 is pro vided to provide the operating potential for operating the valve 44 and the signal system presently to be described. In the operation of the control system according to Figure 1, a solenoid 74 is provided in bellcrank 48 and is provided with a winding 76 in an energizing circuit 78 which is controlled by means of a contact 80 on a solenoid 82 having a winding 84 connected by means of a circuit 86 including a deenergizing switch 88 carried by the locking pin 56. The circuit 86 is connected to a line 90 which is connected to a plurality of branch lines 92 which connect to a contact 94 of a thermal responsive switch presently to be described.

The thermal responsive switch provides a terminal member 96 which extends into a well known journal so that there is thermal contact therewith. An expansion chamber 98 controls a push rod 1% by pushing against a spring 102 the tension of which is controlled by a set nut 104. A housing 166 is mounted on top of the body 96 and contains a plurality of pairs of contacts including the fixed contact 108 which cooperates with the movable contact 110 mounted on the push rod 1%. A second fixed contact 112 is resiliently mounted on an insulating member 114 also mounted in the housing 1% in insulated relation. By a predetermined movement of the rod 110 a contact 116 carried by the rod 1% is moved forward into contact with the fixed contact 112 at the same time breaking contact with the fixed contact 168. A third contact 118 is mounted on the rod 189 and a fixed contact 94 is mounted in the housing 106. The housing 106 is provided with an insulating liner 129 and insulating arms 122 carry each of the contacts 110, 116 and 118 in insulated relation to each other and to the rod 110. The insulated arms 122, 124 and 126 are maintained in spaced relation by means of tubular spacers 128 and 130 which driving relation to the are secured on the rod i'iitl by means of lock nuts 132 and 13 i. Contacts Silt lie, and 113 are all connected together and connected to a conductor 136 which connects to a buss 13? which is connected to one terminal of the generator 72. A signal circuit Mt) is connected to the contact 1% and extends to a normal signal system such as a green lamp T1 2. Contact 112 is connected to a conductor 144 which is connected to a danger signal such as red lamps M6. It will be obvious that the number of green lamps i 52 and the red lamps 1 .46 will correspond to the journals to be protected. Consequently, this system will be applicable to a single car or at most a few cars or to a locomotive and one or more cars. In general, such a system can be supplied in each of the individual cars and the locomotive train so that the trainmen may determine by means of the lamps M2 and 146 the condition of the journal boxes on each of the vehicles of the train.

The fusible link is connected in parallel with the winding 76 so that when the relay $2 closes its contact 5:30 the generator will supply current to the fusible link 34 and cause severing of the same so that the spring 32 will pull the detent 26 out of the slot 24 and allow the valve 13 to be manually controlled.

In the construction according to the modification of Figure 2, a valve body 156 similar to the valve body 96 is mounted in the journal boxes of the train as provided with a pair of contact members 152 and 154 mounted on resilient insulating arm I156 and 15% on a push rod 160 with the arms and 153 being spaced by a tubular spacer 162. A first fixed contact 164 is mounted in the housing 166 and a second contact 16?: is likewise mounted in the housing 166 and so arranged that contact 152 makes contact with contact 164 prior to the time that the contact 154 makes contact with the Contact 168. Contacts 152 and 154 are connected together and connected to a branch circuit 17% which is connected toa buss line 176 which is, in turn, connected to a buss 174 which may be connected from a generator 72 through all of the cars or vehicles of a train. In opposite end of the generator will be connected to a buss 176 which likewise may be connected to all of the vehicles of the train. Contact 164 is connected to a branch circuit 178 which connects to a buss 1% to which is connected a solenoid Winding hi2 controlling a solenoid of a relay 184. The contact 184 closes a circuit 1&6 which supplies energy to the solenoid winding 1% of the solenoid 74 in driving relation with the bellcrank Fusible link 34 being connected in parallel with the winding 1% so that the energization of the control circuit 136 will cause fusing of the link 34 so that the detent 26 may be lifted from the slot 2 and allow manual operation of the valve 18. The lock pin 56 is provided with a switch 192 connected in series circuit relation with the circuit 186.

The contact when energized against the contact energizes the branch circuit Ziitl which is connected to a buss which energizes a solenoid winding 204 of a relay Closing of the contact 206 energizes a circuit which is connected to a valve actuating device preferably of the magnetic type are. A bleeder valve 2R2 is connected to the T 46 by means of a short nipple 2M and has an actuating lever 2316 which is operatively connected to the electrical valve actuating device 210. The bleeder device has sufiicient capacity so that 1 uid may pass therethrough to reduce the pressure in the supply line 16 to cause operation of the usual fluid brakes connected thereto.

In the operation of tie system referring to Figure l as long as the valve maintains its normal condition or below a predetermined temperature the green lights 142 will be energized to tell the trainrnen that the bearings are in normal temperature conditions. However, upon the occurrence of an over-temperature the green lights 142 will be extinguished and the red lights 146 will be energized to warn the train crew of the impending danger. It the train crew fails to take any notice of the warning and the temperature, condition becomes worse the relay contacts will close energizing the actuating solenoid 74 and destroying the fusible link 34. Actuation of the solenoid 74 will cause a depression of the valve pin 46 so that the locking pin 56 will slide over the bellcrank 48 and lock the valve in open position. The opening of the valve and the positioning of the lock pin 56 opens the limit switch 88 to deenergize'the coil 84 of the sole noid 82 so that the energizing circuit for the coil 76 is disconnected or deenergized. Opening of the valve 46 will allow fluid to" flow to the whistle 62 and through the check valve. 68; to any of the whistles 70 as may be desired. Fusing of the link 34 has released the hand operated valves 18' so that the trainmen may now operate the valve 18 and close the supply of fluid to the whistles 62 and 70. Such warning will allow the trainmen to care for the defective journal box and after the caring of such journal bog the; train may proceed because of the manual. disconnection of thewhistle and the resultant drain on the fluid line. 16.

In the operation of the system according to Figure 2, there will be, no normal operation but upon first preheating or overheatingjhe relay 184 will close energizing the whistles 62 and 70 and releasing the hand valve 18. It being noted that the limit valve 182 is directly connected in series circuit relation with the Winding so that the operation of the lock pin 56 will deenergize the winding 190 but fails todeener-gize the, application of potentials of the link 34: until the link has been fused. Upon further overheating the relay 204 will be energized to close the contacts 206 and energize the. valve operating tool 210 which will operate the handle 216 and open the bleeder valve 212 which has sufiicient capacity to cause reduction of pressure in the. supply line 16 and set the brakes. on the vehicle. Since the fusible link 34 has been, severed by current in the supply line 156 the trainmen may operate; the detent 26 out of the slot 24 and operate the valve 18 to cause cessation of the flow of fluid through the bleeder valve 212. This will allow the trainmen to shut oft the bleeder valve 212 as well as the signal whistles 62; and 70 and allow the train to proceed after such precautions as may be necessary have been taken.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a signaling system so that the tram crew will be immediately warned of any defective journal or the overheating thereof so that the conductor, trainrnen or other crew member in the various cars or the locomotive will be apprised'of the. danger prior toan extreme dangerous condition and; the train itself will be, brought to a halt before extremely overheated. conditions may cause wreckage of the vehicle.

While, for purposes of exemplification preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described according to: the best present understanding thereof, it will; be apparent that changes and modifications, may be; made in the construction and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the true spirit and purpose of: the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A hot box signaling system comprising a thermo responsive switch in thermal contact with a journal box, a first signal circuit, a firstcontact on said switch, said first contact controlling energization of said first signal circuit, a second signal circuit, a second contact on said switch, said switch being operative in response to excess heat in said journal box to open said first contact and close said second contact, a' green light energized by closing said first contact, a red light energized by closing said second contact, athird cir'cuit, a third contact controlling said third circuit, said. third contact closing in response to a predetermined. temperature in said journal box, a relay in said third circuit, a signal circuit closed by said relay, a fluid; conduit, a; valve in said conduit, electric oper ati lg means for said valve and. a whistle energized by opening said valve, a manual valve in said fluid lines, a

detent holding valve in open position, a fusible link locking said detent in, said fusible link being connected in parallel with said electric operating means.

2. A hot box signaling system comprising a journal box, a switch operative in response to over-temperature in said journal box, a control circuit controlled by said switch, a relay in said control circuit, a fluid supply line, a valve in said supply line, an operating lever for said valve, a solenoid connected in driving relation to said lever, an actuating circuit for said solenoid, said relay being operative to energize said actuating circuit and said valve, a locking pin, biasing means urging said locking pin into position to hold said valve in open relation, and a deenergizing switch carried by said locking pin.

3. A hot box signaling system comprising a journal box, a switch operative in response to over-temperature in said journal box, a control circuit controlled by said switch, a relay in said control circuit, a fluid supply line, a valve in said supply line, an operating lever for said valve, a solenoid connected in driving relation to said lever, an actuating circuit for said solenoid, said relay being operative to energize said actuating circuit and said valve, a locking pin, biasing means urging said locking pin into position to hold said valve in open relation, a deenergizing switch carried by said locking pin, a manually operated valve in said supply line, a detent holding said manually operated valve in open position, a fusible link holding said detent in position, said fusible link being connected across said actuating circuit.

4. A hot box signaling system comprising a journal box, a switch operative in response to over-temperature in said journal box, a control circuit controlled by said switch, a relay in said control circuit, a fluid supply line, a valve in said supply line, an operating lever for said valve, a solenoid connected in driving relation to said lever, an actuating circuit for said solenoid, said relay being operative to energize said actuating circuit and said valve, a locking pin, biasing means urging said locking pin into position to hold said valve in open relation, a deenergizing switch carried by said locking pin, a manually operated valve in said supply line, a detent holding said manually operated valve in open position, a fusible link holding said detent in position, said fusible link being connected across said actuating circuit, a bleeder valve connected to said supply line, another control circuit closed in response to further heat increase in said journal box, a second relay, an electric operating device for said bleeder valve, an energizing circuit for said electric operating device, said second relay being operative to control energization of said energizing circuit, said manual valve being operative to stop fluid flow through said first valve and said bleeder valve.

5. The hotbox signaling system of claim 2 and, a bleeder valve connected to said supply line, an electric operating device for said bleeder valve, an energizing circuit for said operating device and connected for operation to said actuating circuit.

6. The hotbox signaling system of claim 2 and, a

bleeder valve connected to said supply line, an electric operating device for said bleeder valve, an energizing circuit for said operating de\ :e and connected for operation to said actuating circuit, and a manual cut-01f valve connected in series relation with said bleeder valve in said supply line.

7. The hotbox signaling system of claim 2 and a manually operated valve in said supply line, and means connected in said circuit for retaining said manually operated valve in one position for a short time after said circuit is energized.

8. A hotbox signal system for use with a railway journal box, said signal system comprising a thermally responsive switch responsive to the heat of the journal box, a brake fluid line, a valve in said brake fluid line, a control circuit controlled by said switch, electrically operative means for actuating said valve and arranged in said control circuit for actuation in response to overheating of said journal box, a second valve in said line, means normally holding said second valve in one position, and means responsive to energization by said control circuit for a duration for releasing said second valve holding means.

9. A hotbox signal system for use with a railway journal oX, said signal system comprising a thermally rea brake fluid line, a valve in said brake fluid line, a control circuit controlled by said switch, electrically operative means for actuating said valve and arranged in said control circuit for actuation in response to overheating of said journal box, a second valve in said line, means normally holding said second valve in one position, means responsive to energization by said control circuit for a duration for releasing said second valve holding means, a bleeder valve in said line, and means connected in and energized by said control circuit for actuating said bleeder valve.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said switch has a set of contacts for controlling said control circuit together with a second set of contacts, and circuit means operatively connected with said second set of contacts for controlling other portions of said control circuit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

